JP2021144587A - Robot control system and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a robot control system suitable for production facilities including one or more robots.SOLUTION: A robot control system 1 includes a first control device 100 having a first communication unit 101 and one or more second control devices 250 networked with the first control device. Each of the second control devices includes a second communication unit 251 for exchanging data with the first communication unit of the first control device using communication resources 42 of a network assigned to each, and a command value generation unit 290 for sequentially generating a command value for driving a robot according to a command from the first control device. The robot control system includes a communication resource setting unit 30 for allocating communication resources to each of the second control devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present technology relates to robot control systems and control methods.

Conventionally, in the field of FA (Factory Automation), robots have been used for various applications. In such a robot, commands and the like required for control are sequentially generated by the robot controller executing a predetermined program.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-196908 (Patent Document 1) discloses a configuration for constructing an automation facility using a robot at low cost without learning a robot language.

JP-A-2018-196908

In actual production equipment, a plurality of robots are often arranged. The configuration shown in the above prior art document does not assume any case where a plurality of robots are arranged.

An object of the present technology is to provide a robot control system suitable for a production facility including one or a plurality of robots.

A robot control system according to an embodiment of the present technology comprises a first control device having a first communication unit and one or more second control devices network-connected to the first control device. include. Each of the second control devices uses the communication resources of the network assigned to each of the second control devices to exchange data with the first communication unit of the first control device, and the second communication unit and the first communication unit. It includes a command value generation unit that sequentially generates command values for driving the robot according to a command from the control device of. The robot control system includes a communication resource setting unit that allocates communication resources to each of the second control devices.

According to this configuration, the communication resource setting unit appropriately allocates communication resources to each of the second control devices, so that the control performance can be maintained even when a plurality of second control devices are connected to the network. can.

The communication resource setting unit may determine the communication resource to be allocated to each of the second control devices according to the predetermined allocation setting. According to this configuration, it is possible to surely set an appropriate communication resource by using a predetermined allocation setting according to the second control device to be connected.

The communication resource setting unit may determine the communication resource to be allocated to each of the second control devices according to the number of the second control devices connected to the network with the first control device. According to this configuration, communication resources can be appropriately allocated to each of the second control devices in consideration of the limitation of the transmission capacity of the network.

The communication resource setting unit may determine the communication resource to be allocated to each of the second control devices according to the operating state of at least one of the one or a plurality of second control devices. According to this configuration, communication resources can be dynamically allocated to the second control device that requires more communication resources among the second control devices.

The communication resource setting unit may be mounted on the first communication unit of the first control device. According to this configuration, the communication resource can be collectively allocated by the first communication unit of the first control device.

The second communication unit of the second control device may transmit the state value related to the driving of the robot to the first control device. According to this configuration, the control device can collect the state value related to the driving of the robot from each of the second control devices.

The robot control system may further include an external device for determining the setting related to the allocation of the communication resource by the communication resource setting unit according to the user operation. According to this configuration, it is possible to support the allocation of communication resources to the user.

The communication resource setting unit may adjust the size of the communication resource by making the length of the communication frame transmitted on the network different. Further, the communication resource setting unit may adjust the size of the communication resource by changing the communication cycle of the communication frame transmitted on the network.

According to these configurations, communication resources can be appropriately allocated to each of the second control devices in consideration of the limitation of the transmission capacity of the network.

A control method according to another embodiment of the present technology comprises a first control device having a first communication unit and one or more second control devices network-connected to the first control device. Aimed at the equipped robot control system. The control method is a step of allocating the communication resources of the network to each of the second control devices, and using the communication resources assigned to each of the second control devices, between the first control device and the first control device. It includes a step of exchanging data and a step in which each of the second control devices sequentially generates a command value for driving the robot according to a command from the first control device.

According to this technology, it is possible to realize a robot control system suitable for a production facility including one or a plurality of robots.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline of the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the hardware configuration example of the control device which comprises the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the hardware configuration example of the robot which comprises the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows another hardware configuration example of the robot which comprises the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the hardware configuration example of the operation pendant which constitutes the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the hardware configuration example of the support device which comprises the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the functional structure for controlling the behavior of a robot in the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which outlines the data processing for controlling the behavior of a robot in the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the IEC program and the robot program executed by the control device which comprises the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the execution example of the program in the control device which comprises the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the exchange of data in the robot control system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the communication frame used in the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the allocation setting included in the setting information used in the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of the communication resource using the allocation pattern used in the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of the communication resource using the support device in the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure when the communication resource cannot be set appropriately in the robot control system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the processing example which divides and transmits a command into a plurality of communication frames 40 in the robot control system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of dynamic setting of a communication resource in the robot control system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating another example of the dynamic setting of a communication resource in the robot control system which concerns on this embodiment.

Embodiments of the present technology will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

<A. Application example>
First, an example of a situation in which the present technology is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 1, the robot control system 1 includes a control device 100 (first control device) and one or more robot controllers 250 (second control device) network-connected to the control device 100 via a field network 20. Control device) and includes. Each of the robot controllers 250 outputs a command value for controlling the robot.

In the following description, a configuration example of the robot control system 1 that mainly controls the robot will be shown, but the control target of the robot control system 1 is not limited to the robot. For example, the control device 100 can control various devices and machines constituting the production equipment including the robot in addition to the robot. Further, the control device 100 may be linked with a safety controller that monitors the operation of the robot. That is, in the present specification, the term "robot control system" is used to mean a system having a function of controlling a robot, and does not exclude controlling other than the robot.

The control device 100 generates a command 146 for instructing the behavior of the robot for each robot controller 250 by executing a robot program described later.

As a configuration for exchanging data, the control device 100 has a communication unit 101 (composed of a field network controller 108, a communication control module 160, a communication driver 162, etc., which will be described later), and each of the robot controllers 250 has a communication unit 101. , Communication unit 251 (consisting of a field network controller 252, a communication control module 280, a communication driver 282, etc., which will be described later).

Data is typically exchanged between the controller 100 and one or more robot controllers 250 via a communication frame 40. A communication resource 42 is assigned to the communication frame 40 for each robot controller 250. The communication unit 251 of the robot controller 250 uses the communication resource 42 assigned to each to exchange data with the communication unit 101 of the control device 100.

In the present specification, "communication resource" means a capacity capable of transmitting and receiving data through a network (transmission line). The "communication resource" is determined by the frequency of the carrier wave existing on the network, the length and period of the communication frame transferred on the network, the time division time width, and the like. In the following description, as a typical example, assuming a configuration in which a communication frame 40 having a predetermined data size circulates in the field network 20, the data size of the communication frame 40 is divided and associated with each allocation destination. By doing so, the allocation of communication resources is realized. However, communication is performed not only by such a method of dividing the data size of the communication frame 40, but also by controlling the communication time or communication frequency set for each allocation destination, the frequency width allocated to each allocation destination, and the like. You may want to allocate resources. Further, the allocation of communication resources may be realized by using any known method.

Typically, each of the robot controllers 250 executes various processes by referring to information such as a command 146 stored in the communication resource 42 assigned to the robot controller 250 included in the communication frame 40. The process executed by the robot controller 250 includes a process of sequentially generating command values for driving the robot in accordance with a command 146 from the control device 100. More specifically, the command value generation module 290 of the robot controller 250 sequentially generates command values. The command value is control information for driving each axis of the robot.

Since the axis of the robot may form a joint, it is also referred to as the "axis or joint" of the robot in the following description. That is, in the present specification, the term "axis" of a robot is used to include an axis and a joint.

As shown in FIG. 1, the robot control system 1 has a communication resource setting function for setting a communication resource 42 of a field network 20 used for exchanging data between a control device 100 and one or a plurality of robot controllers 250. Has 30. Typically, the communication resource setting function 30 allocates the communication resource 42 to each of the robot controllers 250.

By optimizing the allocation of the communication resource 42 by the communication resource setting function 30, data communication via the field network 20 can be maintained even when a plurality of robot controllers 250 are connected to the field network 20.

As a result, one control device 100 can control a plurality of robot controllers 250, and the cost of the robot control system 1 as a whole can be reduced.

Further, the control device 100 only needs to generate a command 146, and each robot controller 250 calculates a command value output to the robot. Therefore, even if the number of robots increases, the processing load of the control device 100 increases. Can be suppressed.

<B. System configuration example>
Next, a configuration example of the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 100 and one or more robots 200 connected to the control device 100 via a field network 20.

The behavior of each of the robots 200 is controlled by the robot controller 250. The robot controller 250 is connected to the control device 100 via a network to control the robot 200. More specifically, the robot controller 250 outputs a command value for controlling the robot 200 in accordance with a command from the control device 100 (command 146 described later). As the robot 200, a custom robot 200A having one or a plurality of axes or joints arbitrarily created according to an application may be used. Further, as the robot 200, any general-purpose robot 200B such as a horizontal articulated (scalar) robot, a vertical articulated robot, a parallel link robot, and a Cartesian robot may be used.

Any device such as an I / O unit, a safety I / O unit, and a safety controller may be connected to the field network 20. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, an operation pendant 300 for operating the robot 200 is connected to the field network 20.

For the field network 20, EtherCAT (registered trademark), EtherNet / IP, and the like, which are protocols for industrial networks, can be used. Devices connected to the field network 20 (control device 100, robot controller 250, operation pendant 300, etc.) have counters 109, 253, 353 for realizing synchronized data communication. Details of the counters 109, 253, 353 will be described later.

The control device 100 may be connected to the support device 400, the display device 500, and the server device 600 via the host network 12. For the upper network 12, a protocol for an industrial network, EtherNet / IP, or the like can be used.

<C. Hardware configuration example>
Next, a hardware configuration example of the main device constituting the robot control system 1 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

(C1: Control device 100)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the control device 100 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 3, the controller 100 includes a processor 102, a main memory 104, a storage 110, a memory card interface 112, an upper network controller 106, a field network controller 108, a local bus controller 116, and a USB. Includes a USB controller 120 that provides a (Universal Serial Bus) interface. These components are connected via the processor bus 118.

The processor 102 corresponds to an arithmetic processing unit that executes control operations, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like. Specifically, the processor 102 reads a program stored in the storage 110, expands it in the main memory 104, and executes it to realize a control operation for a controlled object.

The main memory 104 is composed of a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The storage 110 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

The storage 110 stores a system program 1102 for realizing basic functions, an IEC program 1104 created according to a control target, and the like. The IEC program 1104 may include sequence instructions and / or motion instructions.

In the present specification, the "IEC program" is used to mean a program that defines a process executed by a general PLC (programmable logic controller). Typically, the IEC program means a program written in any language defined by IEC 61131-3 defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). However, the IEC program may include a program written in a manufacturer's own language other than the language specified in IEC61131-3.

The storage 110 may further store a robot program 1108 and setting information 1106 for controlling the behavior of the robot 200. As will be described later, the robot program 1108 may be written in a predetermined programming language (for example, a programming language for robot control such as V + language or a programming language related to NC control such as G code).

The setting information 1106 includes various settings related to the field network 20 and various setting values for the robot 200 (for example, a speed limit value, an acceleration limit value, a jerk limit value, and the like).

The memory card interface 112 accepts a memory card 114, which is an example of a removable storage medium. The memory card interface 112 can read and write arbitrary data to and from the memory card 114.

The host network controller 106 exchanges data with an arbitrary information processing device (support device 400, display device 500, server device 600, etc. shown in FIG. 2) via the host network.

The field network controller 108 exchanges data with an arbitrary device such as the robot 200 via the field network 20. In the system configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the field network controller 108 may function as a communication master of the field network 20. The field network controller 108 has a counter 109 that is kept synchronized between the devices connected to the field network 20. The field network controller 108 manages the transmission timing of the communication frame 40, which will be described later, based on the counter 109.

The local bus controller 116 exchanges data with and from any functional unit 130 constituting the control device 100 via the local bus 122. The functional unit 130 is, for example, an analog I / O unit that is in charge of input and / or output of an analog signal, a digital I / O unit that is in charge of input and / or output of a digital signal, a counter unit that receives pulses from an encoder, and the like. And so on.

The USB controller 120 exchanges data with an arbitrary information processing device via a USB connection.

The functions related to the control of the robot 200 provided by the control device 100 will be described later.
(C2: Robot 200 and Robot Controller 250)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the robot 200 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example when a custom robot 200A is adopted as the robot 200.

With reference to FIG. 4, the custom robot 200A is connected to the robot controller 250. The custom robot 200A and the robot controller 250 may be integrally configured or may be configured as separate bodies.

The custom robot 200A includes a drive circuit 220 according to the number of shafts or joints, and a motor 230 driven by the drive circuit 220. Each of the drive circuits 220 includes a converter circuit, an inverter circuit, and the like, generates electric power having a voltage, current, and phase specified according to a command value from the robot controller 250, and supplies the electric power to the motor 230.

Each of the motors 230 is an actuator that is mechanically coupled to any of the shafts or joints of the arm 210 constituting the custom robot 200A and drives the corresponding shaft or joint by rotation of the motor 230.

As the motor 230, a motor having characteristics according to the arm portion 210 to be driven can be adopted. For example, as the motor 230, any of an inductive motor, a synchronous motor, a permanent magnet type motor, and a reluctance motor may be adopted, and not only a rotary type but also a linear motor may be adopted. A drive circuit 220 corresponding to the motor 230 to be driven is adopted.

The robot controller 250 includes a field network controller 252 and a control processing circuit 260.

The field network controller 252 uses the communication resources of the field network 20 assigned to each of them to exchange data with a communication unit such as the field network controller 108 of the control device 100. The field network controller 252 has a counter 253 that is kept synchronized between the devices connected to the field network 20. The field network controller 252 may function as a communication slave of the field network 20 that operates according to a control device 100 that functions as a communication master.

The control processing circuit 260 executes arithmetic processing necessary for driving the custom robot 200A. As an example, the control processing circuit 260 includes a processor 262, a main memory 266, a storage 270, and an interface circuit 268.

The processor 262 executes a control operation for driving the custom robot 200A. The main memory 266 is composed of, for example, a volatile storage device such as a DRAM or SRAM. The storage 270 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as an SSD or an HDD.

The storage 270 stores a robot system program 2702 for realizing control for driving the robot 200, and setting information 2704 including a group of setting parameters required for processing by the robot controller 250.

The interface circuit 268 gives a command value to each drive circuit 220. The interface circuit 268 and the drive circuit 220 may be electrically connected by a hard wire or may be connected by a data link.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another hardware configuration example of the robot 200 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a configuration example when a general-purpose robot 200B is adopted as the robot 200.

With reference to FIG. 5, the general-purpose robot 200B incorporates one or more motors and drive circuits (not shown), and when the target trajectory of the general-purpose robot 200B is instructed, it corresponds to the instructed target trajectory. Drive one or more motors.

When driving the custom robot 200A shown in FIG. 4, it is necessary to give a command value to each of the drive circuits 220 corresponding to the shaft or the joint, whereas when driving the general-purpose robot 200B shown in FIG. It is only necessary to indicate the target trajectory of the general-purpose robot 200B.

The functions related to the control of the robot 200 provided by the robot controller 250 will be described later.

(C3: Operation pendant 300)
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a hardware configuration example of the operation pendant 300 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 6, the operation pendant 300 includes a field network controller 352, a control processing circuit 360, and an operation key group 380.

The field network controller 352 mainly exchanges data with the control device 100 via the field network 20. The field network controller 352 has a counter 353 that is kept synchronized between the devices connected to the field network 20. The field network controller 352 may function as a communication slave of the field network 20 that operates according to a control device 100 that functions as a communication master.

The control processing circuit 360 includes a processor 362, a main memory 366, firmware 370, and an interface circuit 368.

The processor 362 realizes the processing required for the operation pendant 300 by executing the firmware 370. The main memory 366 is composed of, for example, a volatile storage device such as a DRAM or SRAM.

The interface circuit 368 exchanges signals with and from the operation key group 380.
The operation key group 380 is an input device that accepts user operations. The operation key group 380 may include an indicator or the like indicating an input state.

(C4: Support device 400)
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a hardware configuration example of the support device 400 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The support device 400 may be realized by using a general-purpose personal computer as an example.

With reference to FIG. 7, the support device 400 includes a processor 402, a main memory 404, an input unit 406, a display unit 408, a storage 410, an optical drive 412, a USB controller 420, and a communication controller 422. include. These components are connected via the processor bus 418.

The processor 402 is required for the support device 400 by reading a program (OS 4102 and development program 4104, for example) stored in the storage 410, which is composed of a CPU, a GPU, or the like, and deploying and executing the program in the main memory 404. Various functions are realized.

The main memory 404 is composed of, for example, a volatile storage device such as a DRAM or SRAM. The storage 410 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD or SSD.

The storage 410 stores an OS 4102 for realizing basic functions, a development program 4104 for realizing a development environment, and the like. In the development environment, it is possible to create a program executed by the control device 100, debug the program, set the operation of the control device 100, set the operation of the device connected to the control device 100, and set the field network 20. It has become.

The input unit 406 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and accepts user operations. The display unit 408 is composed of a display, various indicators, and the like, and displays processing results and the like by the processor 402.

The USB controller 420 exchanges data with the control device 100 and the like via the USB connection. The communication controller 422 exchanges data with an arbitrary information processing device via the host network 12.

The support device 400 has an optical drive 412 from a storage medium 414 (for example, an optical storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)) that non-transiently stores a computer-readable program into the support device 400. The stored program is read and installed in the storage 410 or the like.

The development program 4104 or the like executed by the support device 400 may be installed via a computer-readable storage medium 414, or may be installed by downloading from a server device or the like on the network. Further, the function provided by the support device 400 according to the present embodiment may be realized by using a part of the modules provided by the OS 4102.

The support device 400 may be removed from the control device 100 while the robot control system 1 is in operation.

(C5: Display device 500)
The display device 500 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment may be realized by using a general-purpose personal computer as an example. Since the basic hardware configuration example of the display device 500 is the same as the hardware configuration example of the support device 400 shown in FIG. 7, detailed description is not given here.

(C6: Server device 600)
The server device 600 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment may be realized by using a general-purpose personal computer as an example. Since the basic hardware configuration example of the server device 600 is the same as the hardware configuration example of the support device 400 shown in FIG. 7, detailed description will not be given here.

(C7: Other forms)
FIGS. 3 to 7 show configuration examples in which necessary functions are provided by executing a program by one or more processors, and some or all of these provided functions are provided by dedicated hardware. It may be implemented using a hardware circuit (for example, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)).

The main part of the control device 100 may be realized by using hardware that follows a general-purpose architecture (for example, an industrial personal computer based on a general-purpose personal computer). In this case, virtualization technology may be used to execute a plurality of OSs having different uses in parallel, and to execute necessary applications on each OS. Further, a configuration in which functions such as a support device 400 and a display device 500 are integrated with the control device 100 may be adopted.

<D. Function configuration example>
An example of the functional configuration for controlling the robot 200 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration for controlling the behavior of the robot 200 in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 8, a command 146 or the like for controlling the robot 200 is exchanged between the control device 100 and one or a plurality of robot controllers 250.

The control device 100 includes an IEC program execution engine 150, a robot program execution engine 152, a communication control module 160, a communication driver 162, and an external communication interface 164. These elements may typically be realized by the processor 102 of the control device 100 executing the system program 1102.

The IEC program execution engine 150 (second program execution unit) periodically generates an output value 142 given to the robot controller 250 by executing the IEC program 1104. More specifically, the IEC program execution engine 150 cyclically executes the IEC program 1104 at predetermined control cycles. The control cycle of the control device 100 is typically assumed to be about several hundred μsec to several hundred msec. The IEC program execution engine 150 outputs an internal command (for example, transmission start and transmission stop of the command 146) to the robot program execution engine 152 according to the execution of the IEC program 1104, and / or the state from the robot program execution engine 152. The value (for example, the state of the robot program 1108 being executed by the robot program execution engine 152) is acquired.

The robot program execution engine 152 (first program execution unit) executes the robot program 1108 to generate a command 146 instructing the behavior of the robot 200. That is, the robot program execution engine 152 sequentially executes the robot program 1108, and transmits a command 146 or the like for controlling the robot 200 to one or a plurality of robot controllers 250. More specifically, the robot program execution engine 152 includes a robot program interpretation module 154 and a command generation module 156.

The robot program interpretation module 154 sequentially reads and parses the robot program 1108, and outputs an internal command obtained by the parse to the command generation module 156. The robot program interpretation module 154 can interpret instructions related to signal input / output, file access, and communication in addition to instructions related to the behavior of the robot 200 described in the programming language included in the robot program 1108.

The start and stop of reading the robot program 1108 by the robot program interpretation module 154 may be controlled by the command generation module 156.

The command generation module 156 generates a command 146 for each of the robot controllers 250 according to an internal command from the robot program interpretation module 154.

The command generation module 156 functions as a host for one or more connected robot controllers 250. More specifically, the command generation module 156 is an internal command exchanged with the IEC program execution engine 150 and / or an internal command exchanged with the support device 400 via the external communication interface 164. In response to this, the robot program interpretation module 154 controls the start and stop of execution of the robot program 1108, and also controls the start and stop of the generation of the command 146 for the robot controller 250.

The command generation module 156 may be configured to collect information such as state values and errors from the robot controller 250.

For convenience of explanation, a configuration example in which the robot program interpretation module 154 and the command generation module 156 are separated is shown, but these modules may be integrally mounted without being separated.

The communication control module 160 and the communication driver 162 correspond to a communication unit that transmits a command 146 to the robot controller 250. The communication control module 160 and the communication driver 162 transmit the output value 142 from the IEC program execution engine 150 and the command 146 from the robot program execution engine 152 to the robot controller 250.

The communication control module 160 manages the exchange of data with one or more connected robot controllers 250. The communication control module 160 may generate a communication instance that manages data communication for each connected robot controller 250, and may manage data communication using the generated communication instance.

The communication driver 162 is an internal interface that uses a field network controller 108 (see FIG. 3) to perform data communication with one or more connected robot controllers 250.

Each of the robot controllers 250 includes a communication control module 280, a communication driver 282, a robot drive engine 284, and a signal output driver 292. These elements may typically be realized by the processor 262 (control processing circuit 260) of the robot controller 250 executing the robot system program 2702.

The communication control module 280 manages the exchange of data with the connected control device 100. The communication control module 280 may generate a communication instance that manages data communication with the connected control device 100, and may manage data communication using the generated communication instance.

The communication driver 282 is an internal interface that performs data communication with the connected control device 100 by using the field network controller 252 (see FIG. 4).

The robot drive engine 284 executes a process for driving the robot 200 to be controlled (including the custom robot 200A and / or the general-purpose robot 200B) according to the command 146 from the control device 100. More specifically, the robot drive engine 284 includes a management module 286, a target trajectory generation module 288, and a command value generation module 290.

The management module 286 corresponds to a processing execution unit that executes processing according to an output value 142 from the control device 100. More specifically, the management module 286 manages the control mode, the start / end of the generation of the target trajectory from the command 146, and the like according to the output value 142 from the control device 100.

The target trajectory generation module 288 (target trajectory generation unit) generates a target trajectory of the robot 200 to be controlled (including: custom robot 200A and / or general-purpose robot 200B) according to the command 146 from the control device 100. The generated target trajectory is typically the hourly position of the tip of the robot 200 (change in position with respect to time) and / or the hourly velocity of the tip of the robot 200 (change in velocity with respect to time). ) Etc. are included.

The target trajectory generation module 288 may output the generated target trajectory to the command value generation module 290 (typically when driving the custom robot 200A shown in FIG. 4), or via the signal output driver 292. It may be output directly to the robot 200 (typically, when driving the general-purpose robot 200B shown in FIG. 5).

The command value generation module 290 sequentially generates command values for driving the robot 200 according to the command 146 from the control device 100. More specifically, the command value generation module 290 sequentially generates command values for each motor 230 constituting the robot 200 to be controlled according to the target trajectory generated by the target trajectory generation module 288. The command value generation module 290 may update the command value at a predetermined control cycle or at a predetermined event.

The control cycle of the target trajectory generation module 288 of the robot controller 250 is typically assumed to be about several hundred μsec to several hundred msec, which is about the same as the control cycle of the control device 100. On the other hand, it is assumed that the control cycle of the command value generation module 290 of the robot controller 250 is faster than the control cycle of the target trajectory generation module 288 (for example, about several to several times).

More specifically, the command value generation module 290 calculates each command value given to the motor 230 for driving the robot 200 along the target trajectory based on the kinematics of the robot 200 to be controlled. The command value generation module 290 sets the target position (change in position / angle with respect to time), target speed (change in speed / angular velocity with respect to time), and target acceleration (change in acceleration / angular acceleration with respect to time) as command values given to the motor 230. ) And / or the target acceleration (change in jerk / angular jerk with time) and so on.

The robot-driven engine 284 may acquire the parameters necessary for calculating the target trajectory and / or the command value with reference to the setting information 2704 (see FIG. 4).

For convenience of explanation, a configuration example in which the target trajectory generation module 288 and the command value generation module 290 are separated is shown, but these modules may be integrally mounted without being separated.

The signal output driver 292 utilizes the interface circuit 268 (see FIG. 4) to output command values and / or target trajectories to one or more connected drive circuits 220 and / or robot 200 internally. It is an interface.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating data processing for controlling the behavior of the robot 200 in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 9, the robot program 1108 written in a predetermined programming language is input to the robot program execution engine 152 of the control device 100.

For example, in a production facility in which a plurality of robots 200 are arranged on the same production line and each robot 200 performs different work, the robot program execution engine 152 has a different robot program 1108 for each robot 200. Entered. Further, in a production facility in which a plurality of the same production lines are arranged in parallel and a robot 200 that performs the same work is arranged in each production line, the robot program execution engine 152 is common. Robot program 1108 may be input. However, the generated commands 146 may be independently transmitted to the robot controller 250.

Further, a plurality of robot programs 1108 written in different programming languages (for example, V + language and G code) may be input to the robot program execution engine 152. The robot program execution engine 152 can generate a command 146 written according to a common command system even when a robot program 1108 written in a different programming language is input.

In this way, the robot program execution engine 152 may be configured to be able to interpret a plurality of programming languages. In this case, the robot program execution engine 152 may generate a command 146 according to a predetermined command system without depending on a programming language.

The robot program execution engine 152 (robot program interpretation module 154) interprets the input robot program 1108 and generates an internal command. Further, the robot program execution engine 152 (command generation module 156) generates a command 146 for controlling the behavior of the robot 200 according to the generated internal command.

The command 146 may be generated for one or a plurality of connected robot controllers 250, respectively. The generated command 146 is transmitted to the corresponding robot controller 250 via the field network 20 (see FIG. 2).

The target trajectory generation module 288 of the robot controller 250 generates a target trajectory according to the command 146 from the control device 100. The generated target trajectory may be output to the general-purpose robot 200B as it is. That is, the robot controller 250 may output the target trajectory to the outside.

On the other hand, the command value generation module 290 of the robot controller 250 generates command values for each of the motors 230 constituting the robot 200 to be controlled according to the generated target trajectory.

Any command system can be adopted as the command system for defining the command 146. From the viewpoint of reducing the processing related to the generation of the command 146, it is preferable to adopt a command group that can be easily generated from the instructions described in the robot program 1108.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 100 generates a command 146 from one or a plurality of robot programs 1108. The robot controller 250 drives the robot 200 to be controlled according to the generated command 146.

<E. Processing executed by the control device 100>
As described above, the robot program 1108 is a program for controlling the behavior of the robot 200. However, in order to control the behavior of the robot 200, for example, the timing for starting / stopping the operation of the robot 200, the conditions for operating the robot 200 (for example, the linkage with the equipment in the pre-process or the post-process), and so on. It is also necessary to control the safety conditions and the like related to the robot 200.

Therefore, in the control device 100, not only the robot program 1108 but also the IEC program 1104 may be executed in parallel. The IEC program 1104 may include logic for collecting state values related to the operation of the robot 200 and determining the timing for starting / stopping the operation of the robot 200.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an IEC program 1104 and a robot program 1108 executed by the control device 100 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10A shows an example of the IEC program 1104 described in a ladder diagram (LD language). The example of the IEC program 1104 shown in FIG. 10A includes instructions relating to a process of turning on the power of the robot 200 to be controlled and a process of executing calibration of the robot 200 to be controlled.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the IEC program 1104 may include a function block as an element. In addition, the IEC program 1104 may include code written in structured text (ST language).

FIG. 10B shows an example of a robot program 1108 written in V + language. As shown in FIG. 10B, the V + language is a kind of high-level language for controlling the behavior of the robot 200.

Next, parallel execution of the IEC program 1104 and the robot program 1108 in the control device 100 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a time chart showing an execution example of a program in the control device 100 constituting the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in the control device 100, the IEC program execution engine 150 and the robot program execution engine 152 (robot program interpretation module 154 and command generation module 156) execute the processes independently.

The IEC program execution engine 150 cyclically executes (repeatedly executes) the IEC program 1104 every predetermined control cycle T1. The cyclic execution of the IEC program 1104 includes an output update process 1502 and an input update process 1504.

The output update process 1502 includes a process of reflecting the output value 142 determined by the execution of the IEC program 1104 on the internal variables and / or the target device. In particular, the output value 142 for the device connected via the field network 20 is stored in the communication frame and transmitted on the field network 20.

The input update process 1504 includes a process of acquiring an input value 144 (state value) required for executing the IEC program 1104 from an internal variable and / or a target device. In particular, the input value 144 from the device connected via the field network 20 is acquired from the communication frame propagating on the field network 20.

The communication control module 160 transmits a communication frame on the field network 20 in synchronization with the control cycle T1, and receives a communication frame that circulates on the field network 20 and returns. The communication control module 160 stores the output value 142 generated by the IEC program execution engine 150 and / or the command 146 generated by the command generation module 156 in the communication frame and includes the returned communication frame. The input value 144 (state value) to be input is held so that the IEC program execution engine 150 and the command generation module 156 can refer to it.

The command generation module 156 generates a command 146 according to an internal command from the robot program interpretation module 154. Typically, the timing at which the command generation module 156 generates the command 146 is determined by the output value 142 from the IEC program execution engine 150. In the example shown in FIG. 11, an example is shown in which the IEC program execution engine 150 generates a command 146 in response to the output value 142 from the IEC program execution engine 150. The generation of the command 146 by the IEC program execution engine 150 may be synchronized with the timing of the output update process 1502 of the IEC program execution engine 150.

The robot program interpretation module 154 typically executes the robot program 1108 independently of the control cycle T1. The start / stop of execution of the robot program 1108 by the robot program interpretation module 154 may be controlled by the command generation module 156.

As shown in FIG. 11, the robot program execution engine 152 sequentially executes the robot program 1108. The IEC program execution engine 150 cyclically executes the IEC program 1104 independently of the execution of the robot program 1108 by the robot program execution engine 152.

<F. Data exchange>
Next, the data exchanged between the control device 100 and the one or more robot controllers 250 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the exchange of data in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 12, an output value 142, an input value 144, and a command 146 are exchanged between the control device 100 and each of the robot controller 250 via the field network 20. The output value 142 and the command 146 are transmitted from the control device 100 to the robot controller 250, and the input value 144 is transmitted from the robot controller 250 to the control device 100.

Basically, the output value 142, the input value 144, and the command 146 are independent data for each robot controller 250. Therefore, the more robots 200 (robot controllers 250) connected to the control device 100, the more communication resources are required.

On the other hand, the transmission capacity of the field network 20 is limited. Therefore, the number of robots 200 connected to the control device 100 increases, and when the allowable transmission capacity is reached, no more robots 200 can be connected.

In this way, the number of robots 200 (robot controllers 250) that can be connected to the control device 100 is limited to the transmission capacity of the field network 20, so the communication resources allocated to each robot controller 250 should be optimized. Is preferable.

Next, an example of a data transmission method via the field network 20 will be described. When EtherCAT is adopted as the field network 20, a communication frame storing various information periodically circulates between the devices. By adopting such a communication frame, synchronized data can be exchanged between devices connected to the field network 20.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the communication frame 40 used in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 13, as an example, in the communication frame 40, a communication resource 42 is assigned to each device connected to the field network 20 (for each robot controller 250 in the configuration example shown in FIG. 2). Each of the communication resources 42 includes an output value area 44 and an input value area 46.

Data is written in the output value area 44 by the control device 100, and the data is read by the corresponding device. More specifically, in the output value area 44, the output value 142 generated by the control device 100 (IEC program execution engine 150) and / or the command generated by the control device 100 (robot program execution engine 152). 146 is stored.

Data is written in the input value area 46 by the corresponding device, and the data is read by the control device 100. More specifically, the information (for example, the state value related to the driving of the robot 200) possessed by each of the robot controllers 250 is written in the input value area 46. Examples of the state values related to the driving of the robot 200 include the current position of the tip of the target robot 200 and each axis, the actual speed, the actual acceleration, the actual torque, and the like. In this way, the communication unit of the robot controller 250 transmits the state value related to the driving of the robot 200 to the control device 100 by using the input value area 46.

Data is exchanged between the control device 100 and one or more robot controllers 250 via the communication frame 40 shown in FIG.

<G. Communication resource setting function>
Next, some methods relating to the setting and management of communication resources for exchanging data between the control device 100 and one or more robot controllers 250 will be described. That is, some specific examples of the process of allocating communication resources to each of the robot controllers 250 (corresponding to the communication resource setting function 30 shown in FIG. 1) will be described.

(G1: Pre-setting to the communication master)
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the field network controller 108 of the control device 100 functions as a communication master of the field network 20. In such a configuration, the field network controller 108 of the control device 100 allocates the communication resource to each device connected to the field network 20 according to the allocation setting included in the setting information 1106 (see FIG. 3). You may do so. That is, the field network controller 108 of the control device 100 may realize the communication resource setting function 30.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the allocation setting 60 included in the setting information 1106 used in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 14, the configuration information 1106 has an entry corresponding to each assigned communication resource. Each entry includes a start address 61, a final address 62, an identification information 63 of the allocation destination device, and a usage type 64 of the communication resource to be allocated.

The start address 61 and the final address 62 are defined by using the addresses assigned to the data sizes that can be stored in one communication frame 40. The area from the start address 61 to the last address 62 of each entry is allocated as one independent communication resource. Each communication resource is assigned to the device specified by the identification information 63, and is either an area for storing the output value 142 (or the command 146) or an area for storing the input value 144, depending on the corresponding usage type 64. Is decided.

In this way, the communication master (control device 100) of the field network 20 may determine the allocation of communication resources to each device by using the predetermined allocation setting 60. That is, the communication resource setting function 30 may be implemented in the field network controller 108 of the control device 100 which is the communication master. The communication resource setting function 30 determines the communication resource to be allocated to each of the robot controllers 250 according to the predetermined allocation setting 60.

(G2: Communication resource setting using allocation pattern)
Instead of the explicit allocation setting as shown in FIG. 14 above, the communication resource may be set by using the allocation pattern.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the setting of communication resources using the allocation pattern used in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 15, the setting information 1106 includes connection information 70 indicating a device type connected for each address and an allocation pattern 75 indicating a communication resource allocated for each device.

The connection information 70 includes information indicating a device connected to each device connected to the field network 20. More specifically, the connection information 70 has an entry corresponding to the address. Each entry includes an address 71 and a device type 72. The address 71 is identification information uniquely defined on the field network 20. Device type 72 indicates the type of connected device.

The allocation pattern 75 includes information on communication resources allocated to each device. More specifically, the allocation pattern 75 has an entry indicating the communication resource corresponding to each device. Each entry includes a device type 76, a data size 77 in the output value area for storing the output value or command, and a data size 78 in the input value area for storing the input value.

The communication master of the field network 20 (field network controller 108 of the control device 100 shown in FIG. 2) determines the allocation of communication resources based on the connection information 70 and the allocation pattern 75. More specifically, the connection information 70 is referred to to specify the type and number of devices connected to the field network 20, and then the allocation pattern 75 is referred to to sequentially determine the corresponding data size for each device. assign. By the above processing, the data structure of the communication frame 40, that is, the communication resource can be determined.

In this way, the communication resource setting function 30 may be implemented in the field network controller 108 of the control device 100 which is the communication master. The communication resource setting function 30 determines the communication resource to be allocated to each of the robot controllers 250 based on the connection information 70 and the allocation pattern 75. At this time, the communication resource setting function 30 may determine the communication resource to be allocated to each of the robot controllers 250 according to the number of the robot controllers 250 connected to the control device 100 and the network, which is defined in the connection information 70. ..

(G3: preset by support device 400)
A mechanism may be provided that allows the user to easily set the communication resource settings for each device. Typically, the support device 400 connected to the control device 100 may provide a user interface screen for setting communication resources.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the setting of communication resources using the support device 400 in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 16, the support device 400 provides a setting screen 450. The setting screen 450 shown in FIG. 16 is typically provided by the processor 402 of the support device 400 executing the development program 4104.

The user makes various settings on the setting screen 450 to generate the setting information 1106. The setting information 1106 is transferred to the control device 100. Thereby, the data structure of the communication frame 40, that is, the communication resource is determined.

More specifically, the setting screen 450 includes a setting field 452 for registering the robot 200 (robot controller 250) connected to the field network 20. The user inputs information for identifying the robot 200 (robot controller 250) included in the robot control system 1 into the setting field 452 of the setting screen 450.

The support device 400 generates the setting information 1106 based on the information set on the setting screen 450. The setting information 1106 may include the allocation setting 60 and the like shown in FIG.

The communication master of the field network 20 (field network controller 108 of the control device 100 shown in FIG. 2) determines the data structure of the communication frame 40, that is, the communication resource, with reference to the setting information 1106 generated by the support device 400. ..

As described above, the support device 400, which is an example of the external device for determining the setting related to the allocation of the communication resource by the communication resource setting function 30, may be further prepared according to the user operation.

As described above, since the transmission capacity of the field network 20 is limited, if the number of robots 200 (robot controllers 250) connected to the field network 20 becomes too large, the communication resources cannot be set appropriately. In that case, a user interface screen may be provided to allow the user to select another action.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a procedure when the communication resource cannot be appropriately set in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. When the robot 200 (robot controller 250) exceeding the limit is set for the setting screen 450 shown in FIG. 16, the support device 400 provides the setting screen 460 as shown in FIG.

The setting screen 460 shown in FIG. 17 is typically provided by the processor 402 of the support device 400 executing the development program 4104.

On the setting screen 460, along with a message notifying that the number of the set robots 200 (robot controller 250) exceeds the limit, as options, a button 462 instructing the operation of changing the number of connected robots and the response speed of the robot 200 Includes a button 464 instructing the change operation of.

When the user selects the button 462, the support device 400 displays the setting screen 450 as shown in FIG. 16, and the user changes the number of robots 200 connected so as to be within the limit.

On the other hand, when the user selects the button 464, the data size of the communication frame 40 propagating in the field network 20 may be increased. However, when the data size of the communication frame 40 is increased, the cycle in which the communication frame 40 circulates in the field network 20 becomes longer. Therefore, the period in which data is updated between the control device 100 and each device becomes relatively long.

In this way, the communication resource setting function 30 may adjust the size of the communication resource by making the length of the communication frame 40 to be transmitted on the field network 20 different, or may transmit on the field network 20. The size of the communication resource may be adjusted by changing the communication cycle of the communication frame 40.

Alternatively, when the user selects button 464, the data size of the entire communication frame 40 is maintained. The data size allocated to each device may be reduced. In this case, since the data size that can be propagated by one communication frame 40 becomes small, for example, when the command 146 is transmitted to a specific device, it may be divided into a plurality of communication frames 40 and transmitted.

For example, since the command 146 is transmitted from the control device 100 to the robot controller 250 in advance, a certain delay in the transmission of the command 146 is allowed. Therefore, even if one command 146 is transmitted using a plurality of communication frames 40, there are few problems in controlling the robot 200.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a processing example in which the command 146 is divided into a plurality of communication frames 40 and transmitted in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 18, the data string of the command 146 is divided into sizes that fit in the output value area 44, and each is stored in a plurality of communication frames 40 that are continuous in time.

In the example shown in FIG. 18, a command 146 is transmitted using three communication frames 40. The robot controller 250 restores the command 146 by acquiring and combining the divided data from the plurality of communication frames 40.

In this way, by adopting the function of dividing and transmitting the command 146 using a plurality of communication frames 40 as needed, the data size allocated to each device in one communication frame 40 is relatively small. Even in this case, the command 146 can be sent to the target robot controller 250.

(G4: Dynamic setting)
In the above description, the case where the communication resource is set statically has been described, but the communication resource may be dynamically set or changed. An example of dynamic setting of communication resources will be described below.

For example, a phase in which any robot 200 included in the robot control system 1 is tuned or initialized, or a phase in which any robot 200 is intensively monitored is also assumed. In such a situation, it is preferable to collect the tip of the target robot 200, the position of each axis, and the like for each control cycle, and more communication resources may be temporarily allocated.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of dynamic setting of communication resources in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 19, the spare resource 48 may be included in the communication frame 40 and the spare resource 48 may be made available to any device connected to the field network 20. FIG. 19 shows an example in which a part of the spare resource 48 is allocated to the device at the address “001” as an input value area.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining another example of dynamic setting of communication resources in the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 20, the spare resource 48 may be included in the communication frame 40, and the spare resource 48 may be used as a buffer to dynamically change the data sizes of the output value area 44 and the input value area 46. FIG. 20 shows an example of expanding the data size of the input value area 46 among the communication resources 42 assigned to the device at the address “001”. The input value area 46 can be expanded up to the data size of the spare resource 48.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when it is necessary to temporarily collect input values such as state values from a specific device, the communication master (control device 100) of the field network 20 sets communication resources. You may change it.

Although FIGS. 19 and 20 show an example of changing the communication resource for a specific device, the communication resource may be changed for a plurality of devices at the same time. Further, although FIGS. 19 and 20 show an example of changing the data size of the input value area 46, the data size of the output value area 44 may be changed, or the output value area 44 and the input value area 46 may be changed. Both data sizes may be changed.

Further, FIGS. 19 and 20 show an example in which the spare resource 48 is provided in the communication frame 40, but the communication standby assigned to each device is dynamically changed according to the situation without providing the spare resource 48. You may try to do it.

In order to realize the dynamic setting of the communication resource as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 described above, the communication resource setting function 30 may be implemented in the field network controller 108 of the control device 100 which is the communication master. Then, the communication resource may be appropriately switched based on the variable (state value) held and managed by any of the robot controllers 250. As described above, the communication resource setting function 30 may determine the communication resource to be allocated to each of the robot controllers 250 according to the operating state of at least one of the one or a plurality of robot controllers 250.

<H. Addendum>
The present embodiment as described above includes the following technical ideas.

[Structure 1]
Robot control system (1)
A first control device (100) having a first communication unit (108, 160, 162) and
The first control device is provided with one or more second control devices (250) connected to a network.
Each of the second control devices
With the second communication unit (252, 280, 282) that exchanges data with the first communication unit of the first control device using the communication resources of the network (20) assigned to each. ,
A command value generation unit (290) for sequentially generating command values for driving the robot (200) according to a command (146) from the first control device is provided.
The robot control system is a robot control system including a communication resource setting unit (30) that allocates the communication resource to each of the second control devices.

[Structure 2]
The robot control system according to configuration 1, wherein the communication resource setting unit determines communication resources to be allocated to each of the second control devices according to a predetermined allocation setting (60).

[Structure 3]
The communication resource setting unit determines the communication resource to be allocated to each of the second control devices according to the number of the second control devices network-connected to the first control device, configuration 1 or 2. The robot control system described in.

[Structure 4]
The communication resource setting unit determines the communication resource to be allocated to each of the second control devices according to the operating state of at least one of the one or the plurality of second control devices, any of the configurations 1 to 3. The robot control system according to item 1.

[Structure 5]
The robot control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the communication resource setting unit is mounted on the first communication unit of the first control device.

[Structure 6]
The robot control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the second communication unit of the second control device transmits a state value related to driving the robot to the first control device.

[Structure 7]
The robot control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising an external device (400) for determining a setting related to allocation of communication resources by the communication resource setting unit according to a user operation.

[Structure 8]
The robot control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the communication resource setting unit adjusts the size of the communication resource by making the length of the communication frame transmitted on the network different.

[Structure 9]
The robot control system according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the communication resource setting unit adjusts the size of the communication resource by changing the communication cycle of the communication frame transmitted on the network.

[Structure 10]
A first control device (100) having a first communication unit (108, 160, 162) and one or more second control devices (250) network-connected to the first control device. It is a control method in the provided robot control system (1).
In the step (30) of allocating the communication resources of the network (20) to each of the second control devices,
A step in which each of the second control devices exchanges data with and from the first control device using the communication resources assigned to each of the second control devices.
A control method comprising a step (290) in which each of the second control devices sequentially generates a command value for driving a robot in accordance with a command from the first control device.

<I. Advantages>
In the robot control system 1 according to the present embodiment, communication resources can be appropriately allocated to each of the robot controllers 250 that control the robot 200. As a result, the control performance can be maintained even when a plurality of robot controllers 250 are connected to the field network 20.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Robot control system, 12 Upper network, 20 Field network, 30 Communication resource setting function, 40 Communication frame, 42 Communication resource, 44 Output value area, 46 Input value area, 48 Reserve resource, 60 Allocation setting, 61 Start address, 62 Final address, 63 identification information, 64 usage type, 70 connection information, 71 address, 72,76 device type, 75 allocation pattern, 77,78 data size, 100 controller, 101,251 communication unit, 102,262,362 402 processor, 104,266,366,404 main memory, 106 upper network controller, 108,252,352 field network controller, 109,253,353 counter, 110,270,410 storage, 112 memory card interface, 114 memory card, 116 local bus controller, 118,418 processor bus, 120,420 USB controller, 122 local bus, 130 functional unit, 142 output value, 144 input value, 146 command, 150 IEC program execution engine, 152 robot program execution engine, 154 robot Program interpretation module, 156 command generation module, 160,280 communication control module, 162,282 communication driver, 164 external communication interface, 200 robot, 200A custom robot, 200B general-purpose robot, 210 arm part, 220 drive circuit, 230 motor, 250 Robot controller, 260, 360 control processing circuit, 268, 368 interface circuit, 284 robot drive engine, 286 management program, 288 target trajectory generation module, 290 command value generation module, 292 signal output driver, 300 operation pendant, 370 firmware, 380 Operation keys, 400 support device, 406 input unit, 408 display unit, 412 optical drive, 414 storage medium, 422 communication controller, 450, 460 setting screen, 452 setting field, 462,464 buttons, 500 display device, 600 server equipment, 1102 system program, 1104 IEC program, 1106, 2704 setting information, 1108 robot program, 1502 output update process, 1504 input update process, 2702 robot system program, 4104 development program, T1 control cycle.

Claims (10)

It ’s a robot control system.
A first control device having a first communication unit and
A network-connected first control device and one or more second control devices are provided.
Each of the second control devices
A second communication unit that exchanges data with the first communication unit of the first control device using the communication resources of the network assigned to each.
It is provided with a command value generation unit that sequentially generates command values for driving the robot according to a command from the first control device.
The robot control system is a robot control system including a communication resource setting unit that allocates the communication resource to each of the second control devices. The robot control system according to claim 1, wherein the communication resource setting unit determines a communication resource to be allocated to each of the second control devices according to a predetermined allocation setting. The communication resource setting unit determines the communication resource to be allocated to each of the second control devices according to the number of the second control devices network-connected to the first control device, claim 1 or 2. The robot control system according to 2. 3. The robot control system according to any one item. The robot control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication resource setting unit is mounted on the first communication unit of the first control device. The robot control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second communication unit of the second control device transmits a state value related to driving the robot to the first control device. The robot control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an external device for determining a setting related to allocation of communication resources by the communication resource setting unit according to a user operation. The robot control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication resource setting unit adjusts the size of the communication resource by making the length of the communication frame transmitted on the network different. The robot control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication resource setting unit adjusts the size of the communication resource by changing the communication cycle of the communication frame transmitted on the network. A control method in a robot control system including a first control device having a first communication unit and one or more second control devices network-connected to the first control device.
A step of allocating network communication resources to each of the second control devices,
A step in which each of the second control devices exchanges data with and from the first control device using the communication resources assigned to each of the second control devices.
A control method, wherein each of the second control devices includes a step of sequentially generating command values for driving a robot in accordance with a command from the first control device.

Images